Zak Whitbread returned from injury in a winning effort as Norwich City took down Newcastle United, while it was a tough day for Clint Dempsey and Fulham as they fell to Swansea City.

Arsenal 1-0 Everton

Tim Howard and Everton went down to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

Howard started and went the distance for the Toffees.

Arsenal had a decisive advantage in possession and shots, and they were rewarded with an impressive goal by Robin Van Persie in the second half.

The goal came in the 70th minute, when Alexandre Song's long chip over the Everton defense found Van Persie who volleyed home with his left foot.

The goal is Van Persie's 15th, adding to his Premier League leading tally.

Arsenal are back into the top four in the league standings.

Everton are in 12th place with 16 points.

Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey were booked for Everton, wile Seamus Coleman and Sylvain Distin received yellow cards for Arsenal.

The Toffees take on Norwich City next week while Arsenal visit Manchester City.

Stoke City 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur could not extend their unbeaten run as they went down to Stoke City.

Friedel started and went the distance for Tottenham.

The opening goal came in the 13th minute when Matthew Etherington knocked home a rebound after the initial shot by Peter Crouch.

In the 43rd minute, Ryan Shotton's throw in was flicked on by Jonathan Walters. Etherington was at the other end of Walters' pass and scored to double Stoke's lead.

Spurs got on the board in the second half when Emmanuel Adebayor scored on a penalty kick after Luka Modric was taken down by Glenn Whelan in the box.

Jonathan Woodgate and Marc Wilson were booked for Stoke City, while Scott Parker received a yellow card for Tottenham. Younes Kaboul was booked twice and sent off in the 82nd minute.

Stoke take on Besiktas in Europa League play in the midweek while Spurs play the Shamrock Rovers in the same tournament.

Norwich City 4-2 Newcastle United

Zak Whitbread returned from injury in Norwich City's big win over Newcastle United.

The American center back started and played 82 minutes. Whitbread had missed the majority of the season because of an injured hamstring.

Wesley Hoolahan opened the scoring for Norwich City in the 39th minute, only to have Demba Ba level the game in the 45th minute for Newcastle.

Grant Holt then gave City the lead in the 59th minute and Steve Morison doubled their lead moments later.

Demba Ba got one back for Newcastle, cutting the lead to one, but Grant Holt scored again in the 82nd minute to ice the game for Norwich City.

Andrew Crofts, David Fox, and Wesley Hoolahan were booked for City while Shola Ameobi and Dan Gosling received yellow cards for Newcastle. Gosling received a second yellow in the 66th minute resulting in his ejection.

Norwich City travels to play Everton next week while Newcastle hosts Swansea City.

Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Aston Villa

Brad Guzan got his first start of the season in Aston Villa's win over Bolton this weekend.

Guzan started and went the distance as he plays in place of Villa's regular starter at goal Shay Given.

Aston Villa went up in the 33rd minute after Gabriel Agbonlahor's cross found Marc Albrighton who knocked home passed Bolton ‘keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Just six minutes later Stiliyan Petrov's shot deflected off of Bolton's Gary Cahill and into the goal, doubling Villa's lead.

Ivan Klasnic was able to get one back for Bolton in the 55th minute, but Aston Villa was too much this game.

Mark Davies was booked for Bolton while Agbonlahor and Marc Albrighton received yellows for Villa.

Bolton next takes on Fulham while Aston Villa host Liverpool.

Swansea City 2-0 Fulham

It was a tough day for Clint Dempsey and Fulham as they went down to Swansea City in Premier League play.

Dempsey started and went the distance in Fulham's away defeat.

After a scoreless first half, Scott Sinclair's shot in the 56th minute took a deflection off Dempsey and found the back of the net, giving Swansea the crucial lead.

In the 87th minute Kerim Frei was taken down by Ashley Richards in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for Fulham. Dempsey shot though was saved by Swansea ‘keeper Michel Vorm.

With just moments left in the game, Swansea's corner was knocked in by Danny Graham to give City the pivotal victory.

Vorm was booked for Swansea while Philippe Senderos received a yellow card for Fulham.

Swansea travels to play Newcastle next week while Fulham has a Europa League date with Odense BK in the midweek.

Birmingham City 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City took down Doncaster Rovers in a Championship clash this weekend.

Spector started and went the distance for Birmingham.

Marc-Antoine Fortune put Doncaster up in the 50th minute after a scoreless first half. But, Marlon King scored two goals to put Birmingham City in the win column.

Chris Burke was booked for City while Brian Stock and Habib Beye received yellows for Rovers.

City next take on Maribor in Europa League play while Doncaster hosts Leicester City.

Notes

Conor Doyle did not feature in Derby County's win over Bristol City.

Robbie Findley did not see the field in Nottingham Forest's loss to Crystal Palace.

Cody Cropper did not make the game day roster in Ipswich Town's win over Barnsley.

Frank Simek is injured and did not feature in Carlisle United's win over Scunthorpe United.

Mike Grella was left on the bench in Brentford's win over Hartlepool United.

Anton Peterlin played the final six minutes in Walsall's tie to Charlton Athletic.

John Paul Pittman did not feature in Crawley Town's win over Burton Albion.

Jemal Johnson did not play in Southend United's loss to Cheltenham Town.